Sharon Ann (Sapar) Malenfant

Sharon Ann (Sapar) Malenfant, 65, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2018 at the Merriman House in North Conway, NH after a brave battle with lymphoma cancer. She always considered herself a Jersey girl first, but found a second home as a fully invested and active member in the Tamworth, NH community and surrounding areas. Sharon will be remembered by her family and friends as a loving, fun, intelligent and devoted person who liked to laugh and had an indomitable spirit.

Sharon was born on July 30, 1953 in Passaic, New Jersey. She was the only child of John and Marie Sapar. She grew up in Clifton and Dunellen, NJ and after graduation from high school in 1971, she moved to Florida to continue her education at Miami-Dade Community College. In 1980, she moved to Wakefield, RI where she realized a dream of being a writer, becoming a regular contributor to a column that ran in three RI newspapers. That same year, she met and fell in love with Jeffrey Malenfant, the man who would become her partner in life. Sharon and Jeff moved to New Hampshire in 1985 and were married on Dec. 10, 1988 in Tamworth, NH. In 1993, they purchased a small cottage on two acres in Tamworth, where they took pleasure in their delightful vegetable and flower gardens, scenic views and local wildlife.

During her first years in NH, Sharon continued to write on a freelance basis for local newspapers. In 1987, she began work at Memorial Hospital in North Conway in the Community Relations Department. She was promoted to Vice President of Community Relations/Development and worked closely with hospital executives, staff and board of directors to expand and publicize the services and activities of this small rural hospital. Sharon also participated in several local and state health projects, receiving recognition for her presentations and involvement from noted officials, including the Governor of New Hampshire. While working full time, Sharon completed her BS at Granite State College in 1995 and a Master of Science in Health Policy and Management from the University of Southern Maine in 2001. She was also an accredited member of the National Public Relations Society of America.

Sharon was an avid reader, writer/author and also enjoyed photography. She created and published numerous works for more than 25 years under her own name and that of her business, Good Peasant Communications, as well as working on art projects with her husband Jeff. Most recently, she worked with The Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice and Children Unlimited, Inc. Sharon championed her love of books by serving on the Board of Trustees of the Cook Memorial Library in Tamworth from 2004 - 2013. She also had a lifelong interest in sports and always found time to cheer on her Patriots, Celtics and Yankees.

Sharon's family would like to thank the Malenfant family for their continuous love and support. They would also like to express appreciation to the wonderful caregivers and friends who helped Sharon with their kindness and compassion throughout her illness and provided gentle care during the final days of her journey.

Sharon is survived by her uncle, George Cibula and his wife Mary Cecele of Lakewood, WA; nephew Drew Cibula and niece Marisa Cibula of Lakewood, WA; niece Valerie Cibula and her sons Ryan and Kyle Small of West Des Moines, IA; and extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband Jeffrey Malenfant, her father and mother, John and Marie (Cibula) Sapar, aunt Dorothy Cibula and uncle Thomas Cibula.

In keeping with her wishes, Sharon will be buried next to her beloved husband, Jeff, at Riverside Cemetery in Wakefield, RI in the spring. This will be followed by a celebration of her life with family and friends. Donations in Sharon's memory can be made to the Memorial Hospital Foundation for MWV Adult Day Center, 3073 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, NH 03860 or Cook Memorial Library, 85 Main Street, Tamworth, NH 03886.